On the last day of my sophomore year in college, a friend drove me to the airport. We stopped for dinner, parked on the street, and went into a restaurant. About an hour and a half later, we returned to find that someone had broken into his car.
Among the things stolen was my large duffel bag. I hadn’t had time to wash clothes during finals week, so I had stuffed it with dirty laundry to take home.
The thief may have thought he had found something valuable. He got my dirty laundry.
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Psalm 90:8 (ESV)
For much of my life, I feared that someone would discover my other dirty laundry: the sins I wanted to keep hidden. I have done things I am ashamed of. I have hurt people, damaged my reputation, and fallen short of what I and those who cared for me expected. Even after accepting Jesus Christ, I sometimes struggle with that fear.
But none of it was ever hidden from God. He knew the worst about me when Christ died for me.
His promise is greater than anyone’s accusations, including the ones I still make against myself. Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9 (ESV)
I cannot wash away my own sins. Jesus paid the price I could not pay. I have confessed them, turned to Him, and trusted Him as my Lord and Savior. I serve Him out of gratitude for mercy I did not deserve.
That duffel bag may have been full of dirty clothes. My life has held things far harder to bring into the light. Yet the Lord who sees them all has forgiven me and made me clean.
Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
#faith #trustinggod #christianity #jesuschrist #bible #seekinggodswill #truth #sanctification #godisincontrol #godhearsourprayers #salvation #providenceofGod #Psalms90:8 #dirtylaundry
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I still smile when I imagine the thief opening that duffel bag. But the story reminds me of a fear I carried for years: What if someone discovered the things I was ashamed of?
God already knew. His mercy did not begin when I finally brought those sins into the light. Jesus Christ had already paid the price, and I could come to Him for forgiveness.
Have you ever found it harder to accept forgiveness than to ask for it?